Jess joined HMI in 2016 and is originally from Portland, Maine. Before coming to HMI, Jess studied English and Environmental Studies at Hamilton College, earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching degree at Brown University, and completed her Master of Arts in English degree from the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College. She comes to HMI having taught in a variety of educational settings, including an experiential education program in Maine, a boarding school in Vermont, and an independent school in New York City. She has also led wilderness expeditions across New England and even out of NYC. Jess is a social justice advocate who believes in the transformative powers of literature and nature to help build emphatic communities of respect and understanding. Outside the classroom, Jess likes to hike with her dog, Bungee, bake gluten-free treats, attempt crosswords, and practice her banjo.